Presentation Transcript

Free Trial The U.S. is a Medicated Society At all ages, we take more pills. • 81% of adults in the U.S. take at least one medication during the week; 27% take a least five. • The average elderly person takes 4-6 prescriptions a day. • Approximately 6% (13 million) of school age children receive required prescriptions.

Free Trial Noncompliance is Rampant Nearly 50% of the time medications are not taken as prescribed. 64% 36 35 33 31 28 25 20 20 19 16 15 Failed to Take Rx Drugs I forgot to take them I had no symptoms or the symptoms went away I wanted to save money I didn’t believe the drugs were effective I didn’t think I needed to take them I had painful or frightening side effects The drugs prevented me from doing other things I wanted to do Nobody reminded me to keep taking, or to refill prescription I had difficulty getting the prescription filled The drugs tasted or smelled unpleasant I had difficult opening the bottle or swallowing the drug I was confused by all the drugs I had to take